Simulation of near-field communications

ABSTRACT

A computing device may identify one or more wireless broadcast signals that are each associated with a name that conforms to a specified wireless naming scheme. Responsive to identifying a particular wireless broadcast signal that is associated with a respective name conforming to the specified wireless naming scheme, the computing device may determine a signal strength of the particular wireless broadcast signal. The computing device may determine a likelihood that a remote device broadcasting the particular wireless signal is within a specified proximity of the computing device based at least in part on the signal strength of the particular wireless broadcast signal. Responsive to determining that the likelihood that the remote device is within the specified proximity of the computing device exceeds a specified threshold, the computing device may initiate an establishment of a wireless connection with the remote device.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/127,502 filed Mar. 3, 2015, the entire content of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Near-field communication (NFC) is a technology that enables computingdevices, which are physically proximate, to establish a wirelessconnection in order to share data between the computing devices. Forexample, two users of NFC-equipped computing devices who would like toshare data using the two respective computing devices may physically tapthe two computing devices together, or otherwise physically bring thetwo computing devices extremely close to each other (e.g., within a fewinches or centimeters), to establish a wireless connection between thetwo computing devices. The NFC-equipped computing devices may eachdetect that the other NFC-equipped computing device is physicallyproximate, and may establish a peer-to-peer wireless connection with theother NFC-equipped computing device.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the disclosure is directed to a method. The methodincludes identifying, by a computing device, one or more wirelessbroadcast signals that are each associated with a name that conforms toa specified wireless naming scheme. The method further includesresponsive to identifying a particular wireless broadcast signal that isassociated with a respective name conforming to the specified wirelessnaming scheme, determining, by the computing device, a signal strengthof the particular wireless broadcast signal. The method further includesdetermining, by the computing device, a likelihood that a remote devicebroadcasting the particular wireless signal is within a specifiedproximity of the computing device, wherein determining the likelihoodthat the remote device is within the specified proximity of thecomputing device is based at least in part on (1) a type of thecomputing device, (2) a type of the remote device broadcasting theparticular wireless broadcast signal, and (3) the signal strength of theparticular wireless broadcast signal. The method further includesresponsive to determining that the likelihood that the remote device iswithin the specified proximity of the computing device exceeds aspecified threshold, initiating, by the computing device, anestablishment of a wireless connection with the remote device.

In another aspect, the disclosure is directed to a computing device. Thecomputing device may include at least one processor. The computingdevice may further include at least one module operable by the at leastone processor to: identify one or more wireless broadcast signals thatare each associated with a name that conforms to a specified wirelessnaming scheme; responsive to identifying a particular wireless broadcastsignal that is associated with a respective name conforming to thespecified wireless naming scheme, determine a signal strength of theparticular wireless broadcast signal; determine a likelihood that aremote device broadcasting the particular wireless signal is within aspecified proximity of the computing device, wherein determining thelikelihood that the remote device is within the specified proximity ofthe computing device is based at least in part on (1) a type of thecomputing device, (2) a type of the remote device broadcasting theparticular wireless broadcast signal, and (3) the signal strength of theparticular wireless broadcast signal; and responsive to determining thatthe likelihood that the remote device is within the specified proximityof the computing device exceeds a specified threshold, initiating anestablishment of a wireless connection with the remote device.

In another aspect, the disclosure is directed to a computer-readablestorage medium encoded with instructions that, when executed, cause atleast one processor of a computing device to: identify one or morewireless broadcast signals that are each associated with a name thatconforms to a specified wireless naming scheme; responsive toidentifying a particular wireless broadcast signal that is associatedwith a respective name conforming to the specified wireless namingscheme, determine a signal strength of the particular wireless broadcastsignal; determine a likelihood that a remote device broadcasting theparticular wireless signal is within a specified proximity of thecomputing device, wherein determining the likelihood that the remotedevice is within the specified proximity of the computing device isbased at least in part on (1) a type of the computing device, (2) a typeof the remote device broadcasting the particular wireless broadcastsignal, and (3) the signal strength of the particular wireless broadcastsignal; and responsive to determining that the likelihood that theremote device is within the specified proximity of the computing deviceexceeds a specified threshold, initiate establishment of a wirelessconnection with the remote device.

The details of one or more aspects of the disclosure are set forth inthe accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features,objects, and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from thedescription and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example system that may beconfigured to simulate near-field communications, in accordance with oneor more techniques of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example computing device inaccordance with one or more techniques of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example computing device thatoutputs graphical content for display at an example remote device inaccordance with one or more techniques of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 4A-4B are block diagrams illustrating example techniques fornormalizing the signal strength of signals that are wirelessly broadcastby computing devices in accordance with one or more techniques of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an example process for establishinga wireless connection between proximate computing devices.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general, aspects of the present disclosure are directed to techniquesfor a computing device to determine whether a remote computing device iswithin a specified proximity of the computing device and, if so, toestablish a wireless connection with the remote computing device totransfer data between the computing device and the remote computingdevice. In some examples, a computing device equipped with Near-fieldCommunication (NFC) can utilize NFC technology to detect otherNFC-equipped computing devices that are within a specified proximity ofthe computing device and to establish a wireless connection withproximate NFC-equipped computing devices.

However, not all computing devices are equipped with NFC hardware.Furthermore, computing devices equipped with NFC hardware may, at anygiven time, have NFC functionality turned off (e.g., have its NFC chipturned off). In these cases, a computing device may still be able todetermine whether a remote computing device is within a specifiedproximity of the computing device and, if so, establish a wirelessconnection with the remote computing device without the use of NFC. Thecomputing device may be able to make such a determination based at leastin part on an observed signal strength of a wireless broadcast signalthat is broadcast by the remote computing device. However, the signalstrength of the wireless broadcast signal being broadcast by the remotecomputing device and observed by the computing device alone may not, inall cases, be enough to determine how close the remote computing deviceis physically to the computing device.

For example, due to differences in material of external enclosures(e.g., aluminum vs. plastic), differences in the types and brands ofwireless networking hardware, differences in the placement andperformance of antennas, and the like, different types, models, and/orbrands of computing devices may perform differently when outputtingwireless broadcast signals. Similarly, different types, models, and/orbrands of computing devices may also perform differently when receivingwireless broadcast signals. Therefore, determining whether a remotecomputing device is within a specified proximity of the computing devicemay be based not just on the signal strength of the wireless broadcastsignal, but also on the device type of the computing device thatreceives the wireless broadcast signal, and also possibly on the devicetype of the remote computing device that broadcasts the wirelessbroadcast signal.

In accordance with techniques of the disclosure, the computing devicemay scan for one or more wireless broadcast signals that are eachassociated with a name that conforms to a specified wireless namingscheme. The computing device may, responsive to identifying a particularwireless broadcast signal having a respective associated name thatconforms to the specified wireless naming scheme, determine a signalstrength of the particular wireless broadcast signal. The computingdevice may determine a likelihood that a remote device broadcasting theparticular wireless signal is within a specified proximity (e.g., withina few inches or centimeters) of the computing device, whereindetermining the likelihood that the remote device is within thespecified proximity of the computing device is based at least in part on(1) a type of the computing device, (2) a type of the remote devicebroadcasting the particular wireless broadcast signal, and (3) thesignal strength of the particular wireless broadcast signal. Thecomputing device may, responsive to determining that the likelihood thatthe remote device is within the specified proximity of the computingdevice exceeds a specified threshold, establish a wireless connectionwith the remote device.

The techniques disclosed herein may potentially lower the costs ofcomputing devices that use the techniques disclosed herein given thatthe computing devices may no longer necessarily include NFC hardware.The techniques disclosed herein may also potentially enable computingdevices that lack NFC hardware to detect other computing devices thatare within a specified physical proximity without the use of NFChardware and/or without using a third-party server device, and to form apeer-to-peer wireless connection to transfer data between such computingdevices.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example system for simulatingnear-field communications in accordance with one or more techniques ofthe present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, system 100 may includecomputing device 2 and one or more remote computing devices 14A-14N(“one or more remote computing devices 14”).

In some examples, computing device 2 may include, but is not limited to,portable or mobile devices such as mobile phones (including smartphones), laptop computers, tablet computers, wearable computing devicessuch as smart watches or computerized eyewear, smart televisionplatforms, cameras, personal digital assistants (PDAs), etc. In someexamples, computing device 2 may include stationary computing devicessuch as desktop computers, servers, mainframes, etc. Computing device 2,in some examples, may include user interface (UI) device 4, UI devicemodule 6, one or more communication units 8, and proximity networkingmodule 10, and application modules 12A-12N. Other examples of computingdevice 2 that implement techniques of this disclosure may includeadditional components not shown in FIG. 1.

UI device module 6 may cause UI device 4 to output a user interface fordisplay and, as a user of computing device 2 interacts with the userinterface presented at UI device 4, UI device module 6 may interpretinputs detected at UI device 4 (e.g., as a user provides one or moregestures at a location of UI device 4 at which user interface 16 oranother example user interface is displayed). UI device module 6 mayrelay information about the inputs detected at UI device 4 to one ormore associated platforms, operating systems, applications, and/orservices executing at computing device 2 to cause computing device 2 toperform a function.

UI device module 6 may also receive information and instructions fromone or more associated platforms, operating systems, applications,and/or services executing at computing device 2 for generating a userinterface. In addition, UI device module 6 may act as an intermediarybetween the one or more associated platforms, operating systems,applications, and/or services executing at computing device 2 andvarious output devices of computing device 2 (e.g., speakers, LEDindicators, vibrators, etc.) to produce output (e.g., graphical,audible, tactile, etc.) with computing device 2. In the example of FIG.1, UI device 4 may be a presence-sensitive display that may display agraphical user interface and receive input using capacitive, inductive,and/or optical detection at or near the presence-sensitive display.

UI device module 6 may be implemented in various ways. For example, UIdevice module 6 may be implemented as a downloadable or pre-installedapplication or “app.” In another example, UI device module 6 may beimplemented as part of a hardware unit of computing device 2. In anotherexample, UI device module 6 may be implemented as part of an operatingsystem of computing device 2. In some instances, portions of thefunctionality of UI device module 6 or any other module described inthis disclosure may be implemented across any combination of anapplication, hardware unit, and operating system.

One or more communication units 8 of computing device 2 may communicatewith external devices via one or more networks by transmitting and/orreceiving network signals on the one or more networks. For example,computing device 2 may use communication units 8 to send and receivedata to and from one or more remote computing devices 14. Computingdevice 2 may use communication units 8 to, e.g., transmit and/or receiveradio signals on a radio network such as a cellular radio network.Likewise, communication units 8 may transmit and/or receive satellitesignals on a satellite network such as a global positioning system (GPS)network. Examples of communication units 8 include network interfacecards (e.g. such as an Ethernet card), optical transceivers, radiofrequency transceivers, GPS receivers, wireless networking modules thatsupport the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)802.11 (WiFi) wireless communication protocol, Bluetooth modules thatcan send and receive Bluetooth and/or Bluetooth low energy (LE) signals,or any other types of devices that can send and/or receive informationvia either wired or wireless networks, including peer-to-peer networkcommunications. Other examples of communication units 8 may includeshort wave radios, cellular data radios, wireless Ethernet networkradios, as well as universal serial bus (USB) controllers, and NFChardware. In some examples, one or more communication units 8 do notinclude any NFC hardware. In some other examples, one or morecommunication units 8 may include NFC hardware, but such NFC hardwaremay be powered off or is otherwise not in use.

In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, computing device 2may scan for one or more wireless broadcast signals that are eachassociated with a name that conforms to a specified wireless namingscheme. Specifically, proximate networking module 10 may cause one ormore communication units 8 to scan for and identify one or more wirelessbroadcast signals that are each associated with a name conforming to aspecified wireless naming scheme. In one example, one or morecommunication units 8 may scan for WiFi signals being broadcast by WiFiaccess points or computing devices acting as hotspots having service setidentifiers (SSIDs) that conform to a specified wireless naming scheme.In another example, one or more communication units 8 may scan forBluetooth or Bluetooth LE signals advertising Bluetooth discoverabledevices having names that conform to a specified wireless naming scheme.In some examples, one or more communication units 8 may scan fordifferent types of signals (e.g., WiFi signals, Bluetooth signals,and/or Bluetooth LE signals) at the same time.

In some examples, to conform with the specified naming scheme, wirelessbroadcast signals may include or otherwise be associated with names thateach include a specific identifier that identifies the associatedbroadcast wireless signal as being broadcast by a computing device thatsimulates near-field communications according to the techniquesdisclosed herein. The specified naming scheme may be any suitable namingscheme that is established for computing device 2 as well as any devicesthat broadcast the one or more wireless broadcast signals that identifythe devices as implementing the techniques disclosed herein with respectto simulation of near-field communications.

In one example, the specified naming scheme may include a prefixfollowed by an identifier, denoted as <prefix>+<id> or an identifierfollowed by a suffix, denoted as <id>+<suffix>. The prefix <prefix> orsuffix <suffix) may include any suitable combination of letters,numbers, symbols, and the like that identifies the associated device asa device that participates in and/or supports the techniques disclosedherein to simulate near-field communications. The identifier <id> mayinclude any suitable combination of letters, numbers, symbols, and thelike that provides identifying information about the associated device.For example, the identifier <id> may include a name of the associateddevice. The specified naming scheme may further include, in someexamples, a small encoded device type identifier, which can be used bycomputing device 2 to lookup further details about the broadcastingdevice in an existing local or remote database. For example, the smallencoded device type identifier may be a 2 byte suffix, which may map toup to 2¹⁶ different devices.

In another example, the specified naming scheme may include an encryptedstring of a defined format. Such a naming scheme may be used ifcomputing device 2 as well as any devices that broadcast the one or morewireless broadcast signals already share the same private key. In thisexample, the naming scheme <prefix>+<id> or <id>+<suffix>, as describedabove, may be encrypted using any suitable cryptography technique, suchas public-key cryptography, partial or full digital signatures, one-wayhash of shared secrets, and the like. For example, the naming scheme<prefix>+<id> or <id>+<suffix> may be encrypted using the public keythat corresponds to the shared private key to result in an encryptednaming scheme for each broadcasting device. Computing device 2 maydecrypt each of the encrypted naming schemes using the correspondingprivate key. In this way, the encrypted naming scheme may preventspoofing of wireless broadcast signals which may correspond to thenaming scheme for which computing device 2 is scanning.

In one example, proximate networking module 10 may cause one or morecommunication units 8 to scan for the one or more wireless broadcastsignals at regular intervals (e.g., every 10 seconds, every 30 seconds,and the like). As such, in this example, one or more communication units8 may perform the scan in a periodic fashion. In another example,proximate networking module 10 may cause one or more communication units8 to scan for the one or more wireless broadcast signals when one ormore communication units 8 performs scans for other wireless broadcastsignals of the same type, such that one or more communication units 8may piggyback onto scans for other wireless broadcast signals. Forexample, if the one or more wireless broadcast signals are WiFi signals,one or more communication units 8 may piggyback the scanning for the oneor more wireless broadcast signals onto other WiFi scans performed byone or more communication units 8, such as WiFi scans that are regularlyperformed by one or more communication units 8 to determine the physicallocation of computing device 2 or to determine a list of WiFi accesspoints. In this way, if one or more communication units 8 performs aWiFi scan unrelated to the scanning for the one or more wirelessbroadcast signals, one or more communication units 8 may, subsequent (orprior) to performing the WiFi scan, also scan for the one or morewireless broadcast signals utilizing the same WiFi radio included in oneor more communication units 8. In this way, proximate networking module10 may enable computing device 2 to conserve power and/or battery lifeby scanning for the one or more wireless broadcast signals when theassociated wireless module (e.g., WiFi module) is powered on to scan forother wireless signals.

In some examples, in order to further conserve power, one or morecommunication units 8 may not scan for one or more wireless broadcastsignals when user interface device 4 is powered off, such that, in theseexamples one or more communication units 8 may scan for one or morewireless broadcast signals only when user interface device 4 is poweredon. For example, if user interface device 4 is a display that isoperably coupled to computing device 2, one or more communication units8 may not scan for one or more wireless broadcast signals when thedisplay is turned off, and may start scanning for the one or morewireless broadcast signals upon the display turning on. Upon the displaybeing turned off, one or more communication units 8 may cease scanningfor the one or more wireless broadcast signals. In some other examples,in order to conserve power and/or battery life, one or morecommunication units 8 do not scan for Bluetooth signals until one ormore communication units 8 has found a WiFi signal that conforms to thespecified naming scheme.

One or more remote computing devices 14 may include, but are not limitedto, portable or mobile devices such as mobile phones (including smartphones), laptop computers, tablet computers, wearable computing devicessuch as smart watches or computerized eyewear, smart televisionplatforms, cameras, personal digital assistants (PDAs), etc. In someexamples, one or more remote computing devices 14 may include stationarycomputing devices such as desktop computers, servers, mainframes, etc.One or more remote computing devices 14 may broadcast one or morewireless broadcast signals 16A-16M (“one or more wireless broadcastsignals 16”).

For example, each of one or more remote computing devices may broadcastone or more respective wireless broadcast signals of broadcast signals16. Each of these one or more wireless broadcast signals may be a WiFisignal, a Bluetooth signal, a Bluetooth LE signal, and the like. If awireless broadcast signal of one or more wireless broadcast signals 16is a WiFi signal, the wireless broadcast signal may be a WiFi signalthat advertises a WiFi access point having an associated SSID. If awireless broadcast signal of one or more wireless broadcast signals 16is a Bluetooth signal or a Bluetooth LE signal, the wireless broadcastsignal may be a Bluetooth signal or a Bluetooth LE signal thatadvertises a Bluetooth discoverable device having an associatedBluetooth device name.

In some examples, a remote computing device of one or more remotecomputing devices may broadcast more than one wireless broadcast signal.For example, a remote computing device may broadcast both a WiFi signalthat advertises a WiFi access point having an associated SSID and aBluetooth signal that advertises the remote computing device as aBluetooth discoverable device having an associated Bluetooth devicename. In the example of FIG. 1, remote computing device 14A maybroadcast a single wireless broadcast signal 16A, such as a WiFi signalthat advertises a WiFi access point having an associated SSID that fitsthe naming scheme specified by computing device 2, while remotecomputing device 14B may broadcast two wireless broadcast signals:wireless broadcast signal 16B, such as a WiFi signal that advertises aWiFi access point having an associated SSID that fits the naming schemespecified by computing device 2, and wireless broadcast signal 16C, suchas a Bluetooth signal that advertises a Bluetooth discoverable devicehaving an associated device name that fits the naming scheme specifiedby computing device 2.

Computing device 2 may identify one or more wireless broadcast signalseach being associated with a respective name that conforms to thespecified naming scheme. Each of the one or more wireless signals may betransmitted from the same or different remote computing devices. Forexample, computing device 2 may identify wireless broadcast signals 16A,16B, and 16C transmitted by remote computing devices 14A and 14B as eachbeing associated a respective name that conforms to the specified namingscheme. Responsive to identifying a particular wireless broadcast signalhaving an associated respective name that conforms to the specifiedwireless naming scheme, computing device 2 may determine a signalstrength of the particular wireless broadcast signal. In some cases,determining a signal strength of the particular wireless broadcastsignal may include one or more communication units 8 measuring areceived signal strength indicator (RSSI) for the particular wirelesssignal, which is a measurement of the power present in a received radiosignal. The higher the RSSI for the particular wireless signal measuredby one or more communication units 8, the stronger the signal may appearto one or more communication units 8. For example, if computing device 2identifies wireless broadcast signals 16A, 16B, and 16C as each having arespective name that conforms to the specified naming scheme, computingdevice 2 may determine a signal strength for each of wireless broadcastsignals 16A, 16B, and 16C, such as by determining the RSSI for each ofwireless broadcast signals 16A, 16B, and 16C.

Responsive to identifying the particular wireless broadcast signalhaving the respective name that conforms to the specified wirelessnaming scheme, computing device 2 may also increase its scanningfrequency to establish a regularly updated signal strength for theparticular wireless broadcast signal having the respective name thatconforms to the specified wireless naming scheme. For example, ifcomputing device 2 periodically scans for wireless broadcast signalsevery 30 seconds before computing device 2 identifies a particularwireless broadcast signal having a respective name that conforms to thespecified wireless naming scheme, computing device 2 may, responsive toidentifying a particular wireless broadcast signal having a respectivename that conforms to the specified wireless naming scheme, increase itsscanning frequency from every 30 seconds to, for example, every 10seconds, in order to more frequently update its determination of thesignal strength for the particular wireless signal. Each time computingdevice 2 scans one or more wireless broadcast signals that are eachassociated with a name that conforms to a specified wireless namingscheme, computing device 2 may receive the one or more wirelessbroadcast signals that are each associated with a name that conforms toa specified wireless naming scheme, and computing device 2 may be ableto determine the signal strengths of the one or more wireless broadcastsignals. In this way, computing device 2 may determine regularly updatedsignal strengths for the one or more wireless broadcast signals.

In the example of FIG. 1, proximate networking module 10 of computingdevice 2 may identify wireless broadcast signals 16A, 16B, and 16C,which may respectively be a WiFi signal, a WiFi signal, and a Bluetoothsignal, as each having associated respective names that conform to thespecified naming scheme. Responsive to identifying wireless broadcastsignals 16A, 16B, and 16C as each having respective names that conformto the specified naming scheme, proximate networking module 10 may causeone or more communication units 8 to increase its scanning frequency forone or more wireless broadcast signals that are each associated with aname that conforms to a specified wireless naming scheme to establishregularly updated signal strengths for each of wireless broadcastsignals 16A, 16B, and 16C.

Computing device 2 may determine whether the remote computing device ofone or more remote computing devices 14 is within the specifiedproximity of computing device 2 by determining the likelihood that theremote computing device of one or more remote computing devices 14 iswithin the specified proximity of computing device 2. Computing device 2may determine such likelihood based at least in part on (1) a type ofcomputing device 2, (2) a type of the remote computing device of one ormore remote computing devices 14 broadcasting the particular wirelessbroadcast signal, and (3) the signal strength of the particular wirelessbroadcast signal. In some examples being within the specified proximitymay include being within a few centimeters or inches, such as beingwithin ten centimeters, being within four inches, and the like.Specifically, computing device 2 may normalize the signal strength ofthe particular wireless broadcast signal based at least in part on thedevice type of the broadcasting computing device (e.g., the remotecomputing device) and the device type of the receiving computing device(e.g., computing device 2). Computing device 2 may compare thenormalized signal strength against a threshold value, such as athreshold signal strength, to determine the likelihood that the remotecomputing device of one or more remote computing devices 14 is withinthe specified proximity of computing device 2. Computing device 2 may,in some examples, determine the likelihood that the remote computingdevice is within the specified proximity of computing device 2 asexpressed by the following identify function:

Nearby(d1,d2,rssi,confidence)=Threshold(f(d1,rssi)+g(d2,rssi),confidence)  (1)

where “Nearby( )” is an indicator function of whether remote computingdevice is within the specified proximity of computing device 2,“Threshold( )” is an indicator function of whether or not the normalizedsignal strength of the wireless broadcast signal exceeds the thresholdfor the broadcasting remote computing device to be considered within thespecified proximity of computing device 2, “d1” is the device type ofcomputing device 2, “d2” is the device type of the remote computingdevice that broadcasts the wireless broadcast signal, “rssi” is theobserved signal strength over time of the wireless broadcast signal, “f()” and “g( )” are normalizing functions to determine the confidence thatthe remote computing device is within a specified proximity of computingdevice 2, and “confidence” is the likelihood that the remote computingis within the specified proximity of computing device 2.

As such, according to identity function (1), whether a computing deviceof device type d1 is considered to be nearby a computing device ofdevice type d2 (e.g., within a specified proximity of each other) givena signal strength of a signal wirelessly broadcast by the computingdevice of device type d2 and received by the computing device of devicetype d1 may be equal to whether the normalized signal strength of thesignal wirelessly broadcast by the computing device of device type d2and received by the computing device of device type d1 exceeds athreshold. Thus, in the example shown in FIG. 1, determining thelikelihood that the remote computing device of one or more remotecomputing devices 14 is within the specified proximity of computingdevice 2 includes normalizing the signal strength of the particularwireless broadcast signal that is broadcast by the remote computingdevice and is received by computing device 2. If computing device 2determines that the normalized signal strength exceeds a thresholdsignal strength, computing device 2 may determine that the likelihoodthat the remote computing device is within the specified proximity ofcomputing device 2 exceeds a specified threshold.

In the example of FIG. 1, based on the type of computing device 2, thetype of the remote computing device 14A broadcasting wireless broadcastsignal 16A, which is a WiFi signal, and the signal strength of wirelessbroadcast signal 16A, computing device 2 may determine the likelihoodthat the remote computing device 14A is within the specified proximityof computing device 2 based on the following identify function:

Nearby(d1,d2,rssi_wifi,confidence)=Threshold(fw(d1,rssi_wifi)+gw(d2,rssi_wifi),confidence)  (2)

where Nearby( ) is an indicator function of whether remote computingdevice 14A is within the specified proximity of computing device 2,Threshold( ) is an indicator function of whether or not the normalizedsignal strength of wireless broadcast signal 16A exceeds the thresholdfor remote computing device 14A to be considered within the specifiedproximity of computing device 2, d1 is the device type of computingdevice 2, d2 is the device type of remote computing device 14A,rssi_wifi is the observed signal strength over time of wirelessbroadcast signal 16A, fw( ) and gw( ) are normalizing functions todetermine the confidence that remote computing device 14A is within aspecified proximity of computing device 2, and confidence is thelikelihood that remote computing device 14A is within the specifiedproximity of computing device 2.

Likewise, based on the type of computing device 2, the type of theremote computing device 14B broadcasting both wireless broadcast signal16B, which is a WiFi signal, and wireless broadcast signal 16C, which isa Bluetooth signal, and the signal strengths of wireless broadcastsignals 16B and 16C, computing device 2 may determine the likelihoodthat the remote computing device 14B is within the specified proximityof computing device 2 based on the following identify function:

Nearby(d1,d2,rssi_wifi,rssi_bluetooth,confidence)=Threshold(fw(d1,rssi_wifi)+fb(d1,rssi_bluetooth)+gw(d2,rssi_wifi)+gb(d2,rssi_bluetooth),confidence),  (3)

where Nearby( ) is an indicator function of whether remote computingdevice 14B is within the specified proximity of computing device 2,Threshold( ) is an indicator function of whether or not the normalizedsignal strength of wireless broadcast signals 16B and 16C exceeds thethreshold for remote computing device 14B to be considered within thespecified proximity of computing device 2, d1 is the device type ofcomputing device 2, d2 is the device type of remote computing device14B, rssi_wifi is the observed signal strength over time of wirelessbroadcast signal 16B, rssi_bluetooth is the observed signal strengthover time of wireless broadcast signal 16C, fw( ), fb( ), gw( ), and gb() are normalizing functions to determine the confidence that remotecomputing device 14B is within a specified proximity of computing device2, and confidence is the likelihood that remote computing device 14B iswithin the specified proximity of computing device 2.

In some examples, equation (3) may be rewritten as the following:

Nearby(d1,d2,rssi_wifi,rssi_bluetooth,confidence)=Threshold(fw(d1,d2,rssi_wifi)+fb(d1,d2,rssi_bluetooth),confidence),  (4)

where normalizing functions fw( ) and fb( ) are functions of d1 and d2.

As such, computing device 2 may determine the likelihood that the remotecomputing device of one or more remote computing devices 14 is withinthe specified proximity of computing device 2 by normalizing the signalstrength of the particular wireless broadcast signal (e.g., byperforming normalizing functions fw( ), fb( ), gw( ), and gb( )), suchthat computing device 2 may determine the likelihood that the remotecomputing device of one or more remote computing devices 14 is withinthe specified proximity of computing device 2 based at least in part onthe normalized signal strength of the particular wireless broadcastsignal. The normalized signal strength is compared to a threshold signalstrength, and if the normalized signal strength exceeds the thresholdsignal strength, computing device 2 may deem the likelihood of theremote computing device is within the specified proximity of computingdevice 2 to exceed a specified threshold. Details of example techniquesfor normalizing signal strength are discussed below with respect toFIGS. 4A-4B.

Responsive to determining that the likelihood that the remote computingdevice of one or more remote computing devices 14 is within thespecified proximity of computing device 2 exceeds a specified threshold,computing device 2 may establish a wireless connection with the remotedevice. In other words, upon determining that the remote computingdevice is likely to be physically close (e.g., within 3-4 inches) tocomputing device 2, computing device 2 may establish a wirelessconnection with the remote computing device to exchange data betweencomputing device 2 and the remote computing device.

In the example of FIG. 1, proximate networking module 10 may determinethat the likelihood that remote computing device 14A is within thespecified proximity (e.g., within 3-4 inches) of computing device 2 doesnot exceed the specified threshold, and may further determine that thelikelihood that remote computing device 14B is within the specifiedproximity of computing device 2 does exceed the specified threshold.Responsive to proximate networking module 10 determining that thelikelihood of remote computing device 14B broadcasting wirelessbroadcast signals 16B and 16C exceeds the specified threshold, proximatenetworking module 10 may utilize one or more communication units 8 toinitiate an establishment of a wireless connection with remote computingdevice 14B.

For example, if wireless broadcast signal 16B is a WiFi broadcastsignal, computing device 2 may communicate via WiFi with remotecomputing device 14A to establish a WiFi connection, so that data can betransferred between computing device 2 and remote computing device 14Bvia WiFi. Alternatively, wireless broadcast signal 16B is a Bluetoothbroadcast signal, computing device 2 may communicate via Bluetooth withremote computing device 14B to establish a Bluetooth or Bluetooth LEconnection, so that data can be transferred between computing device 2and remote computing device 14B via Bluetooth or Bluetooth LE. In someexamples, if remote computing device 14B does not broadcast a Bluetoothor Bluetooth LE wireless broadcast signal 16C, but otherwise supportsBluetooth or Bluetooth LE wireless connections, computing device 2 maycommunicate via WiFi with remote computing device 14B to establish aBluetooth or Bluetooth LE connection between computing device 2 andremote computing device 14B, so that data can be transferred betweencomputing device 2 and remote computing device 14B via Bluetooth orBluetooth LE.

Computing device 2 and remote computing device 14B may also perform oneor more security protocols to verify the identity of each other.Examples of such security protocols may include certificate chains, zeroknowledge proofs, shared secrets, and the like. In some examples, thecomputing device that is transferring data to the other device may alsoattempt to verify the signal strength of the other device or attempt todetermine that the other device is within the specified proximity. Forexample, computing device 2 and remote computing device 14B may exchangeaccelerometer data to determine if computing device 2 and remotecomputing device 14B have physically contacted each other.

Proximate networking module 10 may be implemented in various ways. Forexample, proximate networking module 10 may be implemented as adownloadable or pre-installed application or “app.” In another example,proximate networking module 10 may be implemented as part of a hardwareunit of computing device 2. In another example, proximate networkingmodule 10 may be implemented as part of an operating system of computingdevice 2. In some instances, portions of the functionality of proximatenetworking module 10 or any other module described in this disclosuremay be implemented across any combination of an application, hardwareunit, and operating system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example computing deviceconfigured to X in accordance with one or more techniques of the presentdisclosure. Computing device 2 of FIG. 2 is described below within thecontext of computing device 2 of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 illustrates only oneparticular example of computing device 2 of system 100, and many otherexamples of computing device 2 may be used in other instances and mayinclude a subset of the components included in example computing device2 or may include additional components not shown in FIG. 2.

As shown in the example of FIG. 2, computing device 2 includes userinterface device 4 (“UID 4”), one or more processors 40, one or moreinput devices 42, one or more communication units 8, one or more outputdevices 46, and one or more storage devices 48. Storage devices 48 ofcomputing device 2 also include UI device module 6, proximate networkingmodule 10, application modules 12A-12N (“application modules 12”), andoperating system 54. Communication channels 50 may interconnect each ofthe components 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 40, 42, 46, 48, and 54 forinter-component communications (physically, communicatively, and/oroperatively). In some examples, communication channels 50 may include asystem bus, a network connection, an inter-process communication datastructure, or any other method for communicating data.

One or more input devices 42 of computing device 2 may receive input.Examples of input are tactile, audio, and video input. Input devices 42of computing device 2, in one example, includes a presence-sensitivedisplay, touch-sensitive screen, mouse, keyboard, voice responsivesystem, video camera, microphone or any other type of device fordetecting input from a human or machine.

One or more output devices 46 of computing device 2 may generate output.Examples of output are tactile, audio, and video output. Output devices46 of computing device 2, in one example, includes a presence-sensitivedisplay, sound card, video graphics adapter card, speaker, cathode raytube (CRT) monitor, liquid crystal display (LCD), or any other type ofdevice for generating output to a human or machine.

One or more communication units 8 of computing device 2 may communicatewith external devices via one or more networks by transmitting and/orreceiving network signals on the one or more networks. For example,computing device 2 may use communication unit 8 to send and receive datato and from information server system 60 of FIG. 1. Computing device 2may use communication unit 8 to transmit and/or receive radio signals ona radio network such as a cellular radio network. Likewise,communication units 8 may transmit and/or receive satellite signals on asatellite network such as a global positioning system (GPS) network.Examples of communication unit 8 include a network interface card (e.g.an Ethernet card), an optical transceiver, a radio frequencytransceiver, a GPS receiver, or any other type of device that can sendand/or receive information. Other examples of communication units 8 mayinclude short wave radios, cellular data radios, wireless Ethernetnetwork radios, as well as universal serial bus (USB) controllers.

In some examples, UID 4 of computing device 2 may include functionalityof input devices 42 and/or output devices 46. In the example of FIG. 2,UID 4 may be or may include a presence-sensitive input device. In someexamples, a presence sensitive input device may detect an object atand/or near a screen. As one example range, a presence-sensitive inputdevice may detect an object, such as a finger or stylus that is within 2inches or less of the screen. The presence-sensitive input device maydetermine a location (e.g., an (x, y) coordinate) of a screen at whichthe object was detected. In another example range, a presence-sensitiveinput device may detect an object six inches or less from the screen andother ranges are also possible. The presence-sensitive input device maydetermine the location of the screen selected by a user's finger usingcapacitive, inductive, and/or optical recognition techniques. In someexamples, presence sensitive input device also provides output to a userusing tactile, audio, or video stimuli as described with respect tooutput device 46, e.g., at a display. In the example of FIG. 2, UID 4presents a user interface.

While illustrated as an internal component of computing device 2, UID 4also represents and external component that shares a data path withcomputing device 2 for transmitting and/or receiving input and output.For instance, in one example, UID 4 represents a built-in component ofcomputing device 2 located within and physically connected to theexternal packaging of computing device 2 (e.g., a screen on a mobilephone). In another example, UID 4 represents an external component ofcomputing device 2 located outside and physically separated from thepackaging of computing device 2 (e.g., a monitor, a projector, etc. thatshares a wired and/or wireless data path with a tablet computer).

One or more storage devices 48 within computing device 2 may storeinformation for processing during operation of computing device 2 (e.g.,computing device 2 may store data accessed by modules 6, 10, and 12during execution at computing device 2). In some examples, storagedevice 48 is a temporary memory, meaning that a primary purpose ofstorage device 48 is not long-term storage. Storage devices 48 oncomputing device 2 may be configured for short-term storage ofinformation as volatile memory and therefore not retain stored contentsif powered off. Examples of volatile memories include random accessmemories (RAM), dynamic random access memories (DRAM), static randomaccess memories (SRAM), and other forms of volatile memories known inthe art.

Storage devices 48, in some examples, also include one or morecomputer-readable storage media. Storage devices 48 may be configured tostore larger amounts of information than volatile memory. Storagedevices 48 may further be configured for long-term storage ofinformation as non-volatile memory space and retain information afterpower on/off cycles. Examples of non-volatile memories include magnetichard discs, optical discs, floppy discs, flash memories, or forms ofelectrically programmable memories (EPROM) or electrically erasable andprogrammable (EEPROM) memories. Storage devices 48 may store programinstructions and/or data associated with modules 6, 8, and 12.

One or more processors 40 may implement functionality and/or executeinstructions within computing device 2. For example, processors 40 oncomputing device 2 may receive and execute instructions stored bystorage devices 48 that execute the functionality of UI device module 6,proximate networking module 10, application modules 12, and operatingsystem 54. These instructions executed by processors 40 may causecomputing device 2 to store information, within storage devices 48during program execution. Processors 40 may execute instructions ofmodules 6, 10, and 12 to cause UI device 4 to perform various actions orfunctions of computing device 2 as described in this application. Thatis, modules 6, 8, and 12 may be operable by processors 40 to performvarious actions or functions of computing device 2 as described in thisapplication.

Computing device 2 may be part of a mobile communications network.Computing device 2 may exchange data with a server or cloud computingsystem over the mobile communications network via one or morecommunication units 8. The server or cloud computing system may performsome or all of the techniques and operations related to modules 6, 10,and 12 described herein. In other words, some or all of the techniquesand operations related to modules 6, 10, and 12 can be implementedlocally at computing device 2, for instance, a mobile phone, and some orall of the techniques and operations may be performed remotely via aserver connected to the mobile communications network that exchangesdata with computing device 2. In other words, while shown in FIG. 2 asbeing included within computing device 2, modules 6, 10, and 12 may be apart of a remote computing system and may execute as one or more remotecomputing services, such as one or more services provided by a cloudand/or cluster based computing system.

Operating system 54 may execute to cause computing device 2 to performvarious functions to manage hardware resources of computing device 2 andto provide various common services for other computer programs.Application modules 12 may execute to cause computing device 2 toprovide various applications (e.g., “apps”). In some examples, thevarious applications provided by application module 12 may transfervarious data, such as contact information, images, video files, audiofiles, and the like, via the techniques for establishing short rangewireless peer-to-peer connections disclosed herein.

In some examples, one or more processors 40 may execute proximatenetworking module 10 to cause computing device 2 to scan for one or morewireless broadcast signals that are each associated with a name thatconforms to a specified wireless naming scheme. Computing device 2 mayuse one or more communication units 8 to perform the scanning for theone or more wireless broadcast signals.

In some other examples, the scanning by one or more communication units8 may be responsive to UI device 4 operably coupled to computing device2 transitioning from a powered off state to a powered on state whilecomputing device 2 remains in the powered on state. While computingdevice 4 is powered on, UI device 4 may sometimes be powered off toconserve power and/or battery life. For example, computing device 2 mayturn off or power off UI device 4 after a specified period of userinactivity while computing device 2 remains powered on. In someexamples, when UI device 4 is powered off, one or more communicationunits 8 may not perform the scan for one or more wireless broadcastsignals that are each associated with a name that conforms to aspecified wireless naming scheme regardless of whether computing device2 remains powered on. In some other examples, the scanning by one ormore communication units 8 may be responsive to UI device 4 operablycoupled to computing device 2 transitioning from a powered off state toa powered on state while computing device 2 remains in the powered onstate.

In some examples, computing device 2 may scan for multiple wirelessbroadcast signals of different wireless broadcast protocols that arebeing broadcast by a single remote computing device, so that computingdevice 2 may be able to determine the signal strength for multiplewireless broadcast signals being broadcast by the same remote computingdevice. Therefore, for example, one or more communication units 8 mayscan for one or more WiFi signals that conform to a specified namingscheme while also scanning for one or more Bluetooth LE signals thatconform to a specified naming scheme. Alternatively, upon computingdevice 2 identifying a first wireless broadcast signal having therespective name that conforms to the specified wireless naming schemethat is being broadcast by a remote computing device (e.g., a WiFisignal), proximate networking module 10 may then cause proximate one ormore communication units 8 to scan for a second wireless broadcastsignal being broadcasted by the same remote device that is differentfrom the particular wireless broadcast signal (e.g., a Bluetooth LEsignal). The WiFi signal and the Bluetooth LE signal may conform to thesame specified naming scheme or separate specified naming schemes.

Responsive to identifying each of the one or more wireless broadcastsignals having a respective name that conforms to the specified wirelessnaming scheme, computing device 2 may determine the signal strength ofeach of the one or more wireless broadcast signal. For example, ifcomputing device 2 identifies both a WiFi signal and a Bluetooth LEsignal that each conforms to the specified naming scheme and that areeach broadcast by the same remote device, proximate networking module 10may determine the signal strength of both the WiFi signal and theBluetooth LE signal. By receiving multiple signals from the same remotedevice and determining the signal strength of each of the signalsreceived from the same remote device, proximate networking module 10 maybe able to increase its reliability in determining whether the remotedevice is within the specified proximity of computing device 2.

Computing device 2 may determine a likelihood that a remote device(e.g., one of remote computing devices 14 shown in FIG. 1) broadcastingthe particular wireless signal is within a specified proximity ofcomputing device 2, wherein determining the likelihood that the remotedevice is within the specified proximity of the computing device isbased at least in part on (1) a type of the computing device, (2) a typeof the remote device broadcasting the particular wireless broadcastsignal, and (3) the signal strength of the particular wireless broadcastsignal. Proximate networking module 10 may determine the signal strengthof each of the one or more wireless broadcast signals received bycomputing device 2 from the remote device, and may normalize thedetermined signal strength of each of the one or more wireless broadcastsignals. Proximate networking module 10 may compare the normalizedsignal strength of each of the one or more wireless broadcast signalsagainst a threshold signal strength, such that if a normalized signalstrength exceeds the threshold signal strength then the normalizedsignal strength may indicate that the remote device is within thespecified proximity of computing device 2. In some examples, proximatenetworking module may determine that the likelihood that the remotedevice is within the specified proximity of computing device 2 exceeds aspecified threshold if each of the normalized signal strengths exceedsthe threshold signal strength. In other examples, proximate networkingmodule may determine that the likelihood that the remote device iswithin the specified proximity of computing device 2 exceeds a specifiedthreshold if proximate networking module 10 determines that at least oneof the normalized signal strengths exceeds the threshold signalstrength.

Responsive to determining that the likelihood that the remote device iswithin the specified proximity of computing device 2 exceeds a specifiedthreshold, computing device 2 may establish a wireless connection withthe remote device. For example, proximate networking module 10 may causeone or more communication units 8 to establish a wireless networkingconnection with the remote device via a wireless networking protocol,such as WiFi, Bluetooth, Bluetooth LE, and the like. In some examples,computing device 2 and/or the remote device may perform one or moreactions to confirm the identity of computing device 2 and the remotedevice. For example, computing device 2 may wirelessly broadcast asignal that is received by the remote device, and the remote device maylikewise determine the signal strength of the signal, normalize thesignal strength, and confirm that computing device 2 is within aspecified proximity of the remote device based on the normalized signalstrength. In this way, computing device 2 and the remote device may eachconfirm that the other device is within the specified proximity. In someexamples, computing device 2 and remote device 2 may establish a securewireless connection, such as via certificate chains, zero knowledgeproofs, shared secrets, one-time passwords, and the like.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example computing device thatoutputs graphical content for display at a remote device, in accordancewith one or more techniques of the present disclosure. Graphicalcontent, generally, may include any visual information that may beoutput for display, such as text, images, a group of moving images, etc.The example shown in FIG. 3 includes a computing device 60,presence-sensitive display 64, communication unit 70, projector 80,projector screen 82, mobile device 86, and visual display device 90.Although shown for purposes of example in FIGS. 1 and 2 as a stand-alonecomputing device 2, a computing device such as computing device 60 may,generally, be any component or system that includes a processor or othersuitable computing environment for executing software instructions and,for example, need not include a presence-sensitive display.

As shown in the example of FIG. 3, computing device 60 may be aprocessor that includes functionality as described with respect toprocessor 40 in FIG. 2. In such examples, computing device 60 may beoperatively coupled to presence-sensitive display 64 by a communicationchannel 62A, which may be a system bus or other suitable connection.Computing device 60 may also be operatively coupled to communicationunit 70, further described below, by a communication channel 62B, whichmay also be a system bus or other suitable connection. Although shownseparately as an example in FIG. 3, computing device 60 may beoperatively coupled to presence-sensitive display 64 and communicationunit 70 by any number of one or more communication channels.

In other examples, such as illustrated previously by computing device 2in FIGS. 1-2, a computing device may refer to a portable or mobiledevice such as mobile phones (including smart phones), laptop computers,computing watches, computing eye glasses, wearable computing devices,etc. In some examples, a computing device may be a desktop computers,tablet computers, smart television platforms, cameras, personal digitalassistants (PDAs), servers, mainframes, etc.

Presence-sensitive display 64 may include display device 66 andpresence-sensitive input device 68. Display device 66 may, for example,receive data from computing device 60 and display the graphical content.In some examples, presence-sensitive input device 68 may determine oneor more inputs (e.g., continuous gestures, multi-touch gestures,single-touch gestures, etc.) at presence-sensitive display 64 usingcapacitive, inductive, and/or optical recognition techniques and sendindications of such input to computing device 60 using communicationchannel 62A. In some examples, presence-sensitive input device 68 may bephysically positioned on top of display device 66 such that, when a userpositions an input unit over a graphical element displayed by displaydevice 66, the location at which presence-sensitive input device 68corresponds to the location of display device 66 at which the graphicalelement is displayed. In other examples, presence-sensitive input device68 may be positioned physically apart from display device 66, andlocations of presence-sensitive input device 68 may correspond tolocations of display device 66, such that input can be made atpresence-sensitive input device 68 for interacting with graphicalelements displayed at corresponding locations of display device 66.

As shown in FIG. 3, computing device 60 may also include and/or beoperatively coupled with communication unit 70. Communication unit 70may include functionality of one or more communication units 8 asdescribed in FIGS. 1 and 2. Examples of communication unit 70 mayinclude a network interface card, an Ethernet card, an opticaltransceiver, a radio frequency transceiver, or any other type of devicethat can send and receive information. Other examples of suchcommunication units may include Bluetooth, 3G, and Wi-Fi radios,Universal Serial Bus (USB) interfaces, etc. Computing device 60 may alsoinclude and/or be operatively coupled with one or more other devices,e.g., input devices, output devices, memory, storage devices, etc. thatare not shown in FIG. 3 for purposes of brevity and illustration.

FIG. 3 also illustrates a projector 80 and projector screen 82. Othersuch examples of projection devices may include electronic whiteboards,holographic display devices, and any other suitable devices fordisplaying graphical content. Projector 80 and projector screen 82 mayinclude one or more communication units that enable the respectivedevices to communicate with computing device 60. In some examples, theone or more communication units may enable communication betweenprojector 80 and projector screen 82. Projector 80 may receive data fromcomputing device 60 that includes graphical content. Projector 80, inresponse to receiving the data, may project the graphical content ontoprojector screen 82. In some examples, projector 80 may determine one ormore inputs (e.g., continuous gestures, multi-touch gestures,single-touch gestures, etc.) at projector screen 82 using opticalrecognition or other suitable techniques and send indications of suchinput using one or more communication units to computing device 60. Insuch examples, projector screen 82 may be unnecessary, and projector 80may project graphical content on any suitable medium and detect one ormore user inputs using optical recognition or other such suitabletechniques.

Projector screen 82, in some examples, may include a presence-sensitivedisplay 84. Presence-sensitive display 84 may include a subset offunctionality or all of the functionality of UI device 4 as described inthis disclosure. In some examples, presence-sensitive display 84 mayinclude additional functionality. Projector screen 82 (e.g., anelectronic display of computing eye glasses) may receive data fromcomputing device 60 and display the graphical content. In some examples,presence-sensitive display 84 may determine one or more inputs (e.g.,continuous gestures, multi-touch gestures, single-touch gestures, etc.)at projector screen 82 using capacitive, inductive, and/or opticalrecognition techniques and send indications of such input using one ormore communication units to computing device 60.

FIG. 3 also illustrates mobile device 86 and visual display device 90Mobile device 86 and visual display device 90 may each include computingand connectivity capabilities. Examples of mobile device 86 may includee-reader devices, convertible notebook devices, hybrid slate devices,computerized watches, computerized eyeglasses, etc. Examples of visualdisplay device 90 may include other semi-stationary devices such astelevisions, computer monitors, etc. As shown in FIG. 3, mobile device86 may include a presence-sensitive display 88. Visual display device 90may include a presence-sensitive display 92. Presence-sensitive displays88 and 92 may include a subset of functionality or all of thefunctionality of UID 4 as described in this disclosure. In someexamples, presence-sensitive displays 88 and 92 may include additionalfunctionality. In any case, presence-sensitive display 92, for example,may receive data from computing device 60 and display the graphicalcontent. In some examples, presence-sensitive display 92 may determineone or more inputs (e.g., continuous gestures, multi-touch gestures,single-touch gestures, etc.) at projector screen using capacitive,inductive, and/or optical recognition techniques and send indications ofsuch input using one or more communication units to computing device 60.

As described above, in some examples, computing device 60 may outputgraphical content for display at presence-sensitive display 64 that iscoupled to computing device 60 by a system bus or other suitablecommunication channel. Computing device 60 may also output graphicalcontent for display at one or more remote devices, such as projector 80,projector screen 82, mobile device 86, and visual display device 90. Forinstance, computing device 60 may execute one or more instructions togenerate and/or modify graphical content in accordance with techniquesof the present disclosure. Computing device 60 may output the data thatincludes the graphical content to a communication unit of computingdevice 60, such as communication unit 70. Communication unit 70 may sendthe data to one or more of the remote devices, such as projector 80,projector screen 82, mobile device 86, and/or visual display device 90.In this way, computing device 60 may output the graphical content fordisplay at one or more of the remote devices. In some examples, one ormore of the remote devices may output the graphical content at apresence-sensitive display that is included in and/or operativelycoupled to the respective remote devices.

In some examples, computing device 60 may not output graphical contentat presence-sensitive display 64 that is operatively coupled tocomputing device 60. In other examples, computing device 60 may outputgraphical content for display at both a presence-sensitive display 64that is coupled to computing device 60 by communication channel 62A, andat one or more remote devices. In such examples, the graphical contentmay be displayed substantially contemporaneously at each respectivedevice. For instance, some delay may be introduced by the communicationlatency to send the data that includes the graphical content to theremote device. In some examples, graphical content generated bycomputing device 60 and output for display at presence-sensitive display64 may be different than graphical content display output for display atone or more remote devices.

Computing device 60 may send and receive data using any suitablecommunication techniques. For example, computing device 60 may beoperatively coupled to external network 74 using network link 72A. Eachof the remote devices illustrated in FIG. 3 may be operatively coupledto network external network 74 by one of respective network links 72B,72C, and 72D. External network 74 may include network hubs, networkswitches, network routers, etc., that are operatively inter-coupledthereby providing for the exchange of information between computingdevice 60 and the remote devices illustrated in FIG. 3. In someexamples, network links 72A-722D may be Ethernet, ATM or other networkconnections. Such connections may be wireless and/or wired connections.

In some examples, computing device 60 may be operatively coupled to oneor more of the remote devices included in FIG. 3 using direct devicecommunication 78. Direct device communication 78 may includecommunications through which computing device 60 sends and receives datadirectly with a remote device, using wired or wireless communication.That is, in some examples of direct device communication 78, data sentby computing device 60 may not be forwarded by one or more additionaldevices before being received at the remote device, and vice-versa.Examples of direct device communication 78 may include one or more ofBluetooth, Near-Field Communication, Universal Serial Bus, Wi-Fi,infrared, etc. One or more of the remote devices illustrated in FIG. 3may be operatively coupled with computing device 60 by communicationlinks 76A-76D. In some examples, communication links 76A-76D may beconnections using Bluetooth, Near-Field Communication, Universal SerialBus, infrared, etc. Such connections may be wireless and/or wiredconnections.

In the example of FIG. 3, computing device 60 may output a GUI fordisplay by a display device (e.g., display device 66, presence-sensitivedisplays 84, 88, 92, etc.). For instance, computing device 60 may senddata representing the GUI to communication unit 70. Communication unit70 may send the data to visual display device 90 via external network74. Visual display device 90 may cause presence-sensitive display 92 tooutput the GUI.

In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, computing device60 may scan for one or more wireless broadcast signals that are eachassociated with a name that conforms to a specified wireless namingscheme. Responsive to identifying a particular wireless broadcast signalhaving a respective name that conforms to the specified wireless namingscheme, computing device 60 may determine a signal strength of theparticular wireless broadcast signal. Computing device 60 may determinea likelihood that a remote device broadcasting the particular wirelesssignal is within a specified proximity of computing device 60, whereindetermining the likelihood that the remote device is within thespecified proximity of computing device 60 is based at least in part on(1) a type of computing device 60, (2) a type of the remote devicebroadcasting the particular wireless broadcast signal, and (3) thesignal strength of the particular wireless broadcast signal. Responsiveto determining that the likelihood that the remote device is within thespecified proximity of computing device 60 exceeds a specifiedthreshold, computing device 60 may establish a wireless connection withthe remote device.

FIGS. 4A-4B are block diagrams illustrating example techniques fornormalizing the signal strength of signals that are wirelessly broadcastby computing devices in accordance with one or more techniques of thepresent disclosure. For example, given a transmitting computing devicethat wirelessly transmits a signal that is received by a receivingcomputing device, the receiving computing device may determine a signalstrength of the received signal and may normalize the signal strength.The receiving computing device may, based on the normalized signalstrength, determine whether the transmitting computing device is nearby(e.g., within a specified distance of the receiving computing device).Normalizing the signal strength of signals may enable signal strengthsof signals that are wirelessly transmitted and received by disparatedevices to be compared, such that normalized signal strengths maycorrelate to distances between respective transmitting and receivingcomputing devices regardless of the device types of the respectivetransmitting and receiving computing devices.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, for a particular pair of computing devices,such as computing device 402A that wirelessly broadcasts a signal thatis received by computing device 402B, a normalizing function fornormalizing the signal strength of the signal broadcast by computingdevice 402A and received by computing device 402B may be determined.Computing device 402B may employ the determined normalizing function tonormalize the signal strength of the signal broadcast by computingdevice 402A and received by computing device 402B, and may determinewhether the likelihood that computing device 402A is within thespecified proximity of computing device 402B exceeds a specifiedthreshold based on the normalized signal strength.

The normalizing function may be specific to a specific pair of atransmitting device of a specified device type and a receiving device ofa specified device type. As such, the normalizing function to normalizethe signal strength of the signal broadcast by computing device 402A andreceived by computing device 402B may be specific to the signal strengthof a signal that is wirelessly transmitted by a computing device of thesame device type as computing device 402A and that is received by acomputing device of the same device type as computing device 402B. Thus,the normalizing function for normalizing the signal strength of thesignal broadcast by computing device 402A and received by computingdevice 402B is different from the normalizing function for normalizing,for example, a signal strength of a signal broadcast by computing device402B and received by computing device 402A.

Such a normalizing function for normalizing the signal strength of thesignal broadcast by computing device 402A and received by computingdevice 402B may be determined by testing computing devices 402A and 402Bagainst a set of reference computing devices 406A-406N (“referencecomputing devices 406”), such as via manual, semi-automated, orautomated testing. For example, testers (e.g., human testers) mayutilize a combination of any of robotic apparatuses, measurement tools,computing devices, and the like to test computing devices of varyingdevice types, including computing device 402A and computing device 402B,against reference computing devices 406. By testing computing devicesagainst a set of reference computing devices, such as referencecomputing devices 406, computing device 402A (or a computing device ofthe same device type of computing device 402A) does not necessarily haveto be directly tested against computing device 402B (or a computingdevice of the same device type as computing device 402B) in order todetermine a normalizing function for normalizing the signal strength ofa signal wirelessly broadcasted by computing device 402A and received bycomputing device 402B.

As shown in FIG. 4A, computing device 402A's wireless broadcastingcapabilities may be tested by computing device 402A wirelesslybroadcasting signal 403 that is received by reference computing devices406. Each of reference computing devices 406 may determine a signalstrength of signal 403 received by respective reference computingdevices 406 located within the specified threshold from computing device402A. The values of the signal strengths determined by referencecomputing devices 406 may be used to normalize the signal strengthtransmitted by computing device 402A.

In the example of FIG. 4A, each of reference computing devices 406 maybe located within a specified threshold from computing device 402A, suchthat each individual reference computing device of reference computingdevices 406 is the same distance from computing device 402A. Forexample, if the specified threshold of whether two computing devices aredeemed to be physically proximate to each other is less than or equal tofour inches, then each of reference computing devices 406 may be locatedfour inches from computing device 402A. In other examples, each ofreference computing devices 406 may be located at less than thespecified threshold (e.g., less than four inches) from computing device402A. Further, reference computing devices 406 may be a set of differenttypes of computing devices (e.g., different models of computing devices,different brands of computing devices, different configurations ofcomputing devices, and the like).

As shown in FIG. 4B, computing device 402B's capability to receivewireless broadcast signals may also be tested by each of referencedevices 406 wirelessly broadcasting respective signals 404A-404N(“signals 404”) that are received by computing device 402B. Computingdevice 402B may receive each of signals 404 and may determine a signalstrength for each of signals 404 received by computing device 402B.

In the example of FIG. 4B, each of reference computing devices 406 maybe located within a specified threshold from computing device 402B, suchthat each individual reference computing device of reference computingdevices 406 is the same distance from computing device 402B. Forexample, if the specified threshold of whether two computing devices aredeemed to be physically proximate to each other is less than or equal tofour inches, then each of reference computing devices 406 may be locatedfour inches from computing device 402B. In other examples, each ofreference computing devices 406 may be located at less than thespecified threshold (e.g., less than four inches) from computing device402B. Further, reference computing devices 406 may be a set of differenttypes of computing devices (e.g., different models of computing devices,different brands of computing devices, different configurations ofcomputing devices, and the like).

Based on the results of testing computing device 402A's wirelessbroadcasting capabilities and computing device 402B's capability toreceive wireless broadcast signals, a normalizing function fornormalizing the signal strength of the signal broadcast by computingdevice 402A and received by computing device 402B may be expressed inthe following equation:

normalized_rssi(rssi,transmitter,scanner)=f(rssi,transmit_rssi_A,transmit_rssi_B,. . . ,transmit_rssi_N,scan_rssi_A,scan_rssi_B, . . . ,scan_rssi_N)  (4)

where rssi is the signal strength determined by computing device 402B ofthe signal wirelessly broadcast by computing device 402A and received bycomputing device 402B, transmitter is computing device 402A, scanner iscomputing device 402B, transmit_rssi_A to transmit_rssi_B are the signalstrengths determined by each of reference computing devices 406 ofsignal 403, and scan_rssi_A to scan_rssi_N are the signal strengthsdetermined by computing device 402B of signals 404.

As shown in equation (4), the normalizing equation normalized_rssi(rssi,transmitter, scanner) for normalizing the signal strength of the signalbroadcast by computing device 402A and received by computing device 402Bmay be generated based on the signal strength of signal 403 wirelesslybroadcast by computing device 402A as determined by each of referencecomputing devices 406 (i.e., transmit_rssi_A to transmit_rssi_N), aswell as the signal strengths of signals 404 wirelessly broadcast byreference computing devices 406 as determined by computing device 402B(i.e., scan_rssi_A to scan_rssi_N). The generated normalizing equationmay, in some examples, be the one or more normalizing functions (e.g.,normalizing functions fw( ), fd( ), gw( ), and/or gb( )) in equation(1), equation (2), and/or equation (3).

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an example process 500 forestablishing a wireless connection between proximate computing devices.The example process 500 is illustrated with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2. Asshown in FIG. 5, computing device 2 may identify one or more wirelessbroadcast signals that are each associated with a name that conforms toa specified wireless naming scheme (502). Responsive to identifying aparticular wireless broadcast signal that is associated with arespective name conforming to the specified wireless naming scheme,computing device 2 may determine a signal strength of the particularwireless broadcast signal (504). Computing device 2 may determine alikelihood that a remote device broadcasting the particular wirelesssignal is within a specified proximity of computing device 2, whereindetermining the likelihood that the remote device is within thespecified proximity of computing device 2 is based at least in part on(1) a type of computing device 2, (2) a type of the remote devicebroadcasting the particular wireless broadcast signal, and (3) thesignal strength of the particular wireless broadcast signal (506).Responsive to determining that the likelihood that the remote device iswithin the specified proximity of computing device 2 exceeds a specifiedthreshold, computing device 2 may initiate an establishment of awireless connection with the remote device (508).

In some examples, responsive to identifying the particular wirelessbroadcast signal that is associated with the respective name conformingto the specified wireless naming scheme, computing device 2 may identifya second wireless broadcast signal being broadcasted by the remotedevice, the second wireless broadcast signal being different from theparticular wireless broadcast signal and, responsive to identifying thesecond wireless broadcast signal, computing device 2 may determinesecond signal strength of the second wireless broadcast signal. In someexamples, determining the likelihood that the remote device is withinthe specified proximity of computing device 2 is further based at leastin part on the second signal strength of the second wireless broadcastsignal. In some examples, the particular wireless broadcast signal maycomprise a WiFi signal and the second wireless broadcast signal maycomprise a Bluetooth signal.

In some examples, each of the one or more wireless broadcast signalsdoes not comprise a Near Field Communications (NFC) signal. In someexamples, determining, by computing device 2, the likelihood that theremote device broadcasting the particular wireless signal is within thespecified proximity of the computing device further comprisesdetermining a normalized signal strength based at least in part on (1)the type of the computing device, (2) the type of the remote devicebroadcasting the particular wireless broadcast signal, and (3) thesignal strength of the particular wireless broadcast signal anddetermining, by computing device 2, whether the normalized signalstrength exceeds a threshold value. In some examples, determining thenormalized signal strength is based at least in part on a normalizingfunction that is specific to the type of the computing device and thetype of the remote device broadcasting the particular wireless broadcastsignal.

In some examples, identifying, by computing device 2, of the one or morewireless broadcast signals that are each associated with the name thatconforms to the specified wireless naming scheme is responsive to adisplay device operably coupled to computing device 2 transitioning froma powered off state to a powered on state while computing device 2remains in the powered on state. In some examples, scanning, bycomputing device 2, for the one or more wireless broadcast signals thatare each associated with the name that conforms to the specifiedwireless naming scheme is responsive to scanning, by computing device 2,for a second one or more wireless broadcast signals of a same wirelessprotocol as the one or more wireless broadcast signals. In someexamples, determining, by computing device 2, the signal strength of theparticular wireless broadcast signal may further include periodicallyupdating a determination of the signal strength of the particularwireless signal. In some example, computing device 2 may confirm anidentity of the remote device.

In one or more examples, the functions described may be implemented inhardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implementedin software, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over, as oneor more instructions or code, a computer-readable medium and executed bya hardware-based processing unit. Computer-readable media may includecomputer-readable storage media, which corresponds to a tangible mediumsuch as data storage media, or communication media including any mediumthat facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place toanother, e.g., according to a communication protocol. In this manner,computer-readable media generally may correspond to (1) tangiblecomputer-readable storage media, which is non-transitory or (2) acommunication medium such as a signal or carrier wave. Data storagemedia may be any available media that can be accessed by one or morecomputers or one or more processors to retrieve instructions, codeand/or data structures for implementation of the techniques described inthis disclosure. A computer program product may include acomputer-readable medium.

By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable storagemedia can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical diskstorage, magnetic disk storage, or other magnetic storage devices, flashmemory, or any other medium that can be used to store desired programcode in the form of instructions or data structures and that can beaccessed by a computer. Also, any connection is properly termed acomputer-readable medium. For example, if instructions are transmittedfrom a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable,fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), orwireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then thecoaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wirelesstechnologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in thedefinition of medium. It should be understood, however, thatcomputer-readable storage media and data storage media do not includeconnections, carrier waves, signals, or other transient media, but areinstead directed to non-transient, tangible storage media. Disk anddisc, as used herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, opticaldisc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray disc, wheredisks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce dataoptically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be includedwithin the scope of computer-readable media.

Instructions may be executed by one or more processors, such as one ormore digital signal processors (DSPs), general purpose microprocessors,application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmablelogic arrays (FPGAs), or other equivalent integrated or discrete logiccircuitry. Accordingly, the term “processor,” as used herein may referto any of the foregoing structure or any other structure suitable forimplementation of the techniques described herein. In addition, in someaspects, the functionality described herein may be provided withindedicated hardware and/or software modules. Also, the techniques couldbe fully implemented in one or more circuits or logic elements.

The techniques of this disclosure may be implemented in a wide varietyof devices or apparatuses, including a wireless handset, an integratedcircuit (IC) or a set of ICs (e.g., a chip set). Various components,modules, or units are described in this disclosure to emphasizefunctional aspects of devices configured to perform the disclosedtechniques, but do not necessarily require realization by differenthardware units. Rather, as described above, various units may becombined in a hardware unit or provided by a collection ofinteroperative hardware units, including one or more processors asdescribed above, in conjunction with suitable software and/or firmware.

Various aspects of the disclosure have been described. These and otheraspects are within the scope of the following claims.

1. A method comprising: identifying, by a computing device, one or morewireless broadcast signals that are each associated with a name thatconforms to a specified wireless naming scheme; responsive toidentifying a particular wireless broadcast signal that is associatedwith a respective name conforming to the specified wireless namingscheme, determining, by the computing device, a signal strength of theparticular wireless broadcast signal; determining, by the computingdevice, a likelihood that a remote device broadcasting the particularwireless signal is within a specified proximity of the computing device,wherein determining the likelihood that the remote device is within thespecified proximity of the computing device is based at least in part on(1) a type of the computing device, (2) a type of the remote devicebroadcasting the particular wireless broadcast signal, and (3) thesignal strength of the particular wireless broadcast signal; andresponsive to determining that the likelihood that the remote device iswithin the specified proximity of the computing device exceeds aspecified threshold, initiating, by the computing device, anestablishment of a wireless connection with the remote device.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: responsive to identifying theparticular wireless broadcast signal that is associated with therespective name conforming to the specified wireless naming scheme,identifying, by the computing device, a second wireless broadcast signalbeing broadcasted by the remote device, the second wireless broadcastsignal being different from the particular wireless broadcast signal;and responsive to identifying the second wireless broadcast signal,determining, by the computing device, a second signal strength of thesecond wireless broadcast signal.
 3. The method of claim 2, whereindetermining the likelihood that the remote device is within thespecified proximity of the computing device is further based at least inpart on the second signal strength of the second wireless broadcastsignal.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the particular wirelessbroadcast signal comprises a WiFi signal and the second wirelessbroadcast signal comprises a Bluetooth signal.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein each of the one or more wireless broadcast signals does notcomprise a Near Field Communications (NFC) signal.
 6. The method ofclaim 1, wherein determining, by the computing device, the likelihoodthat the remote device broadcasting the particular wireless signal iswithin the specified proximity of the computing device furthercomprises: determining, by the computing device, a normalized signalstrength based at least in part on (1) the type of the computing device,(2) the type of the remote device broadcasting the particular wirelessbroadcast signal, and (3) the signal strength of the particular wirelessbroadcast signal; and determining, by the computing device, whether thenormalized signal strength exceeds a threshold value.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, wherein determining the normalized signal strength is based atleast in part on a normalizing function that is specific to the type ofthe computing device and the type of the remote device broadcasting theparticular wireless broadcast signal.
 8. The method of claim 1, whereinthe identifying, by the computing device, of the one or more wirelessbroadcast signals that are each associated with the name that conformsto the specified wireless naming scheme is responsive to a displaydevice operably coupled to the computing device transitioning from apowered off state to a powered on state while the computing deviceremains in the powered on state.
 9. The method of claim 1 whereindetermining, by the computing device, the signal strength of theparticular wireless broadcast signal further comprises: periodicallyupdating a determination of the signal strength of the particularwireless signal.
 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:confirming, by the computing device, an identity of the remote device.11. A computing device comprising: at least one processor; and at leastone module operable by the at least one processor to: identify one ormore wireless broadcast signals that are each associated with a namethat conforms to a specified wireless naming scheme; responsive toidentifying a particular wireless broadcast signal that is associatedwith a respective name conforming to the specified wireless namingscheme, determine a signal strength of the particular wireless broadcastsignal; determine a likelihood that a remote device broadcasting theparticular wireless signal is within a specified proximity of thecomputing device, wherein determining the likelihood that the remotedevice is within the specified proximity of the computing device isbased at least in part on (1) a type of the computing device, (2) a typeof the remote device broadcasting the particular wireless broadcastsignal, and (3) the signal strength of the particular wireless broadcastsignal; and responsive to determining that the likelihood that theremote device is within the specified proximity of the computing deviceexceeds a specified threshold, initiate an establishment of a wirelessconnection with the remote device.
 12. The computing device of claim 11,wherein the at least one module is further operable by the at least oneprocessor to: responsive to identifying the particular wirelessbroadcast signal that is associated with the respective name conformingto the specified wireless naming scheme, identify a second wirelessbroadcast signal being broadcasted by the remote device, the secondwireless broadcast signal being different from the particular wirelessbroadcast signal; responsive to identifying the second wirelessbroadcast signal, determine a second signal strength of the secondwireless broadcast signal.
 13. The computing device of claim 12, whereinthe at least one module is further operable by the at least oneprocessor to: determine the likelihood that the remote device is withinthe specified proximity of the computing device based at least in parton the second signal strength of the second wireless broadcast signal.14. The computing device of claim 11, wherein the at least one moduleoperable by the at least one processor to determine the likelihood thatthe remote device broadcasting the particular wireless signal is withinthe specified proximity of the computing device is further operable bythe at least one processor to: determine a normalized signal strengthbased at least in part on (1) the type of the computing device, (2) thetype of the remote device broadcasting the particular wireless broadcastsignal, and (3) the signal strength of the particular wireless broadcastsignal; and determine whether the normalized signal strength exceeds athreshold value.
 15. The computing device of claim 11, wherein each ofthe one or more wireless broadcast signals does not comprise a NearField Communications (NFC) signal.
 16. A computer-readable storagemedium encoded with instructions that, when executed, cause at least oneprocessor of a computing device to: identify one or more wirelessbroadcast signals that are each associated with a name that conforms toa specified wireless naming scheme; responsive to identifying aparticular wireless broadcast signal that is associated with arespective name conforming to the specified wireless naming scheme,determine a signal strength of the particular wireless broadcast signal;determine a likelihood that a remote device broadcasting the particularwireless signal is within a specified proximity of the computing device,wherein determining the likelihood that the remote device is within thespecified proximity of the computing device is based at least in part on(1) a type of the computing device, (2) a type of the remote devicebroadcasting the particular wireless broadcast signal, and (3) thesignal strength of the particular wireless broadcast signal; andresponsive to determining that the likelihood that the remote device iswithin the specified proximity of the computing device exceeds aspecified threshold, initiate an establishment of a wireless connectionwith the remote device.
 17. The computer-readable storage medium ofclaim 16, wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the atleast one processor of the computing device to: responsive toidentifying the particular wireless broadcast signal that is associatedwith the respective name conforming to the specified wireless namingscheme, identify a second wireless broadcast signal being broadcasted bythe remote device, the second wireless broadcast signal being differentfrom the particular wireless broadcast signal; and responsive toidentifying the second wireless broadcast signal, determine a secondsignal strength of the second wireless broadcast signal.
 18. Thecomputer-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the instructions,when executed, further cause the at least one processor of the computingdevice to: determine the likelihood that the remote device is within thespecified proximity of the computing device based at least in part onthe second signal strength of the second wireless broadcast signal. 19.The computer-readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein theinstructions, when executed, that cause the at least one processor ofthe computing device to determine the likelihood that the remote devicebroadcasting the particular wireless signal is within the specifiedproximity of the computing device further cause the at least oneprocessor of the computing device to: determine a normalized signalstrength based at least in part on (1) the type of the computing device,(2) the type of the remote device broadcasting the particular wirelessbroadcast signal, and (3) the signal strength of the particular wirelessbroadcast signal; and determine whether the normalized signal strengthexceeds a threshold value.
 20. The computer-readable storage medium ofclaim 16, wherein each of the one or more wireless broadcast signalsdoes not comprise a Near Field Communications (NFC) signal.